News and events

“Heroin at Home,” a two-part documentary produced by TPT and the Department of Human Services, has topped 100,000 views on the DHS YouTube channel. The Emmy-nominated series discusses the rise in opiate abuse—and what's being done about it—in Minnesota.

According to Daniel Pierce Bergin, Senior Producer & Partner Manager at Twin Cities Public Television, the shows are “among the most viewed TPT content on YouTube.”

“The toll of heroin and prescription opiate abuse is alarming,” said Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson said at the release of the videos. “The numbers of lives lost, families destroyed and dollars spent are rising…We are grateful to TPT for partnering with us to help get the word out about this dangerous trend.”

Tougher law, new resources add to fight against synthetic drugs

Minnesotans also have a new website to get factual information about the dangers and risks posed by the deadly substances.

KnowTheDangers.com is designed to provide resources and information for parents, youth, educators, health care professionals and others who may encounter synthetic drugs. Visitors to KnowTheDangers.com can learn what types of substances, packaging and paraphernalia to look for, as well as what effects these drugs may have and how to reach out for help. The website is optimized for mobile and tablet devices. More information is available in a news release.

Minnesota takes key steps in fight against opiate abuse

Efforts to curb a wave of prescription drug abuse and addiction to other opiates marked the first full year of the Minnesota State Substance Abuse Strategy. Minnesota met the strategy's immediate goals to increase education for physicians and other front-line professionals about treatments for opioid dependence, how abuse of opioid-based prescription drugs can lead to addiction to other opiates like heroin and how to reverse an opiate overdose. More information is in a news release about the substance abuse strategy's first-year report.